Tank roof



y 1935- B. LENTSQCHEWSKY ,5

TANK ROOF Filed March 14, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l B. Lenisoberm/ zmsms QEuEy 2, 1935. B. LENTSCHEWSKY TANK ROOF Filed March 14, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5. L enf schewsk W www Patented July 2, 1935 UNITED-"ST TE TANK R001" 7 Boris Lentschewsky, Berlin; Germany Application March 14, nasennjnt. 598,851 4 In GermanyMarch'24 l93l I 8 Claims. (01: 220-26) 9 The invention relates to a semi-rigid insulating or evaporation.

roof or top for protecting liquid fuelsagainst fire It .is'known toconstruct roofs of this nature,

, ;from'single fields, or also a plurality thereof. The known arrangements, however, are either relatively complicated in construction, or' fail to seal off the surface of. the liquid in-tight fashion at all points. I 7

.It is the"'pr imary:object of this invention to overcome the disadvantages in question, and this is accomplished by the fact that the adjacent edges'of a series ofrfields'form overlapping portions, and at the corners there are provided flat' tongues, which at the same time serve to perform" sealing against'the neighbouring and the suc-; ceeding series. Each floating field maybe conv structed'in step-like-fashion; in order in this mann'er'to obtain connection between the adja-;

; cent fields. This connection, however, may also I: tank.

be-perfo'rmed'bymeans of grooves and tongues.

The arrangement according to the invention is accompanied by. the additional advantage that even considerable'rdeformatiorr of-the tank or improper form thereof will have no detrimental effect on the-insulating properties ofthe roof.

Otherobjects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. "The invention will' now be described more fully which Fig.1 1 shows an'insulating roof, constructed ac,-

cording tothe'inventiomfor a cylindrical tank. Fig. 2 shows a single floating field in' plan.

' Fig. 3is. a section ofxthe field according to Fig;

2. along the line III-III.

Figs. 4,. 5 and-6 are additional embodiments of the floating fieldin cross-section. v

Fig. '7 shows "on enlarged scalefa part elevati'onal view of the field connection;

Fig. 8, on similar scalefshows the connection of" modified forms of field.

Fig.9 illustrates an additional method of connecting the fields.

Fig. '10 shows thereof.

Figs. 11,. Hand :13 show different embodiments of the seal between the roof and the wall of the .Fig,. 14. showf'an additional embodiment of the insulating roof according to the invention, in plan:

cross-section. I

with reference tothe accompanying drawings,in

a modified form of assembly of Fig. illustrates the roof according a to Fig. 14.

Figs..16 and'll Show a detail ment in elevation andin plan.

The insulating roof according-to Fig. loon- V sists of single rectangular fields l adjoined by supplementary ,fieldsj 2' for the purpose of providing theroof witha; circular form. "The single floating fields I in the embodiment according to Figs; 2 and 3 consistof'two fiat boxes or cells 3,

whichiare disposed in staggered relation to each 7 other diagonally, and maybe connected together' in any suitable or desired manner. Between the cells Bthere. is located a'sheet or plate composed of asbestos, metal or the; like, which supplements or fills out the free corners resulting from. the staggered disposal of the cells, as shownin Figs. 2 and. 3, in which these are'shown as tongues 33.

he staggered disposal 'of the fiat cells resultsin the formation of steps 5. p

The construction of the floating field I may alsobe such thatthe steps- 5 are secured in suitable fashion to, the-edges of one single floating cell .6 of corresponding height,thesestepsbeing construeted' as separate elements 'HFig. 4).

To increase the insulating powers of the roof the single fields I may also be'composed of. more than two, for example'threafiat cells 3 (Fig. 5)

so that fields are formed "having-three or more of the arrangesteps and; engaging with-each other by the hori-- zontal faces of the steps. In accordance *withfl' Fig. 6, the three or moreysingle flat cells 3 are connected in staggered relationto each other in such fashion-that the adjacent fields linterengage at their edge portions in the manner of tongue and groove. bodiments according to Figs: 5 and fii'may also make use of the arrangementaccordingtoFig. 4.

Obviously, however, the em.*

In'orderto ensure that'the peripheral edge of the roof re'stsas tightly as possible against the inner wal-Lfof the tankt, means are provided ac"- cording tothe invention, whichhave the tendency to force the single fields I andZapart withintance betweenfthe-h'ead I l ,andthe nut 12 of the bolt i0 is so calculated that when the bracket ;9 is

in. contaot with either oi these parts the engagering constructed on similar lines.

ment between the steps 5 is sufiicient to form a proper seal.

On the bolt I 0 there is placed a coil spring acting as pressure spring I3, which thrusts with its ends against the oppositely situated brackets 9, and thus seeks to force the fields I apart. In the embodiment according to Fig. 9 there is provided a fiat spring I4 acting as pressure spring, which is held at its centre on the one field I by a bracket I5, the ends thereof sliding in brackets I6 on the adjacent field I. To prevent lifting of the horizontal faces of the steps 5 it is desirable to provide on the underside of the fields I an additional guide II, which together with the guide for the spring I3 secures the roof against separate vertical movements on the part of the'single fields I, and thus forms a structure of a semi-rigid kind. In the embodiment according to Fig. 9 there is in itself a certain security against undesirable vertical movement on the part of the single fields by reason of the edgewise disposal of the spring I4, and if necessary this may also be supplemented by the arrangement I1. 5

Thereof according to Fig. 10 consists of one large middle field I8, which is surrounded by an' The single means for fulfilling the object according to the invention. Thus, for example, there might also be provided a poiseweight or counter-weight dewith the vice engaging in corresponding fashion fields I,2, I8 orIB.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 10 there may if necessary also be provided an additional sector-ring I9. Obviously in place of the large circular centre field I8 there may be employed a correspondingly smaller field, between which and the sector ring I9 there is inserted an additional In an embodiment of the roof according to Fig. 10 the arrangement of the steps 5 at the central field I8 will preferably be such that the upper steps, for example, ofthe central field I8 rest on'the lower .:steps of the sector-fields I9. A possible embodiment of this kind is revealed in section by Fig. 8. To ensure that the horizontal faces of the steps fit tightly against each other the buoyancy of adj acentfields is, according to the invention, made .to vary. Difference in the buoyancy may be regulated by means of weights.

Peripheral sealing of the roof may be performed in accordance with Figs. 11-13 either by the provision of labyrinth recesses 20 in the peripheral walls, of the fields 2 or sectors I9 or, assuming the tank is composed of plates secured by rivets, by the provision of metallic wire brushes 2I acting in sealing fashion, or alternatively by providing elastic packing members 22, springs or the like between the wall of the tank8 and the peripheral wall of the roof.

Fig. 14 shows a modified form of embodiment of the roof according to the invention. Figs. 14 and 15 illustrate three variations of the same embodiment. In this. case the roof consists of rectangular fields 23 and correspondingly constructed supplementary fields 24. These single fields are also constructed in step-likefashion at the edges,

but in contradistinction to the embodiments'previously described all of the steps are situated in the one direction, that is to say-the lower steps in the initial position are all situated close together, whilst the upper steps recede in relation to the first ones.

In the variation illustrated on the left hand 1 ends of which overlap.

In the variation shown in the middle portion of Fig. 15 there is also provided, in addition to the hinge device 25 above referred to, a metal tape or band 26 'situatedon the horizontal faces of the'lowermost steps; This tape 26 possesses a Width, which is equal to'the total width of the oppositely located horizontal step faces, and consists of a plurality of parts connected longitudinally, the'ends of which slide one upon the other.

The tape 26 is furnished with bolts 21 provided in the slots 28 of guide arms 29,which are pref-,

erably secured in direct fashion to the fields 23, 24 at a distance from the horizontal faces of the steps corresponding with the .thickness of the tape 26.

This embodiment also ensures an excellent sealing of the joints of the roof. As shown on the right hand side of Figs. 14 and 15, the metal tape 26 may also be provided without the hinge members 25. A particularly tight guiding of the tape 26 may be ac'complish'edby the provision of pressure springs 32 between the nuts 30 and the washers 3I of the bolts 21 (Figs. 16and 17).

The height of the lowermost steps on the edge faces of the single fields is dependent on the quantity of liquid displaced and the nature of the same, and is preferably so chosen that the zontal step faces situated next to the same and I engaging with each other is as small as possible, so that losses by evaporation wi be reduced: to

a minimum. 1

The invention furthermore provides for construction of the single fields for'the reception of fire-extinguishing means; such .as' CO2, foamforming substances or the like; The construction may either be such that the fields themselves act as containers for the fire-extinguishing agent, or that separate containers may be secured to the upper or lower sides. In this form of .construction of the fields the latter required to possess a buoyancy which is such that the same, despite the load. imposed thereon, are situated with the lowermost horizontal faces of thestepped edges above the level of the liquid.

which are sealed by means of metal plugs 4 ca.- pable of fusing at a certain predetermined temperature, thus permitting of regulation of the.

density of the air in the box-like field, and also,

if the fields are constructed as receptacles or containers for a fire-extinguishing agent, of the exit of this agent between the slots and on the upper side of the roof.

A similar arrangement may also be provided if separate receptacles for the fire-extinguishing agent are mounted on the fields. In place of the readily fusing metal plugs employed to close the outlet aperturesthere mayalso be used mechanically movable closing means, which are controlled by one or more thermostats adjusted to a certain pre-determined temperature.

If the single fields, asalready described in the above, consist of two or more superimposed fiat boxes in staggered relation to each other, there may be provided, for the purpose of increased insulation on the part of the'fields, more particularly against external heat, a sheet-of asbestos or similar insulating material between each two adjacent boxes. This intermediate layer preferably also covers the horizontal faces of the steps at the edges, and thus at the same time ensures increased sealing efiiciency on the part of the contacting horizontal faces of the steps of adjacent fields.

In all of the embodiments referred'to the cells or boxes forming the fields may be filled out wholly or in part with light insulating materials,

such for example as cork or the like, insofar as the same are not required for the reception of fire-extinguishing agents. In the latter case the extinguishing agent will conveniently be furnished in the lowermost box or cell, whilst the remaining cells or boxes are filled with a light insulating material, or alternately with such material and with the extinguishing agent.

It will be understood that no restriction is made to the specific forms of embodiment shown, which have been quoted solely by way of example," and that various modifications are quite possible within the meaning of the above description and the annexed claims without departing from the means for connecting the individual cells together and means for sealing the roof about the periphery. 7

2. In an insulating roof for tanks for liquid fuels, etc., a plurality of floating cells so assembled as to correspond with the peripheral form of the tank, projectcry portions on the said cells forming stepped edges, the stepped edges of each cell being adapted to fit into the stepped edges of adjacent cells to provide a substantially flat surfaced roof, fiat tongues at the corners of the said cells, means for connecting the single cells together, and means for sealing the roof about the periphery. j

3. In an insulating roof for tanks for liquid fuels, etc., a plurality of floating cells so assembled as to correspond with the peripheral form tank and adapted to contain a fire-extinguishing agent, plugs in the said cells adapted to fuse at a certain temperature, step-like structures at the edges of the said cells adapted to overlap with corresponding structures on the adjacent cells, means for connecting the cells together, and means for sealing the roof about the periphery.

5; In a form of embodiment of an insulating roof for tanks for liquid fuels, etc., a plurality of floating cells so assembled as to correspond with the peripheral form of the tank and composed of a plurality of flat, superimposed boxlike structures disposed in staggered relation to each other to form steps at the edges of the said cells adapted to overlap with correspondingly formed steps on the adjacent cells, flat tongues at the corners of the said cells, a fire-extinguishing agent in association with the said cells, plugs adapted to fuse at a certain temperature to permit of discharge of the said fire-extinguishing agent, springs mounted on each two adjacent cells adapted to force the said cells outwardly to a limited extent to fit tightly against the wall of the said tank, and means for preventing vertical lifting on the part of single cells.

6. In a form of embodiment of an insulating roof for tanks for liquid fuels, etc., according to claim 5, means for sealing the said roof about the periphery.

'7. In a form of embodiment of an insulating roof for tanks for liquid fuels, etc., according to claim 5, means for imparting varying buoyancy to the said cells.

8. In an insulating roof for tanks for liquid fuels, a plurality of floating cells so assembled as to correspond'with the peripheral form of the tank, outwardly extending portions on the said cells adapted to form projecting and re.-entrant portions on the sides of the cells, theprojecting and re-entrant portions of the cells adapted to fit respectively the re-entrant' and projecting portions of adjacent cells to provide a substantially fiat surfaced roof, means for connecting the single cells together and means for sealing the roof about the periphery.

'BORIS LENTSCI-IEWSKY. 

